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Topic: Coconut Bay Resort & Spa, St. Lucia, April 2007 (Read 672 times)
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Kim in WI
SwimTeam
Posts: 86
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Here's my info about the resort. I apologize if I get too lengthy or detailed, I wanted to share as much as possible...
1. Resort
Beautiful grounds, breathtaking view as you enter the resort with the Maria Islands nearby
Quaint, small in size, but makes up for it in accommodations
Beautiful open air lobby with modern seating (over-sized chairs and couches)
4 bars stocked with familiar brands:
Lobby Bar - open 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Swim-up Bar - open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Peter John's Lounge - open 6:00 pm - 1:00 am
Catz Meow Beach Bar - open 10:00 pm - 1:00 am
There were 2 pool tables and a foos ball table in the lobby for the kids and also an arcade off the lobby by the restrooms.
Many board games available for guests to play and we saw many playing at night in the lobby after dinner.
Entertainment was great - always music playing in the lobby at night, live or on the stereo. Peter John's Lounge had a piano player most nights for entertainment before and after dinner.
2. Room
We had room 333, South wing, ocean view - King size bed and amazing view from our balcony. We were, however, right next to the stairs to the lobby so foot traffic at night was noticeable and a bit loud at times, but it only seemed to bother us our first night since we couldn't stay awake past 9:00 pm
Rooms are tastefully decorated and clean
A card like your room card controls the air conditioning, when the patio door is open the air automatically shuts off
Bathroom light switch is in the hallway before you enter the bathroom
Bathroom is very European style, small shower with minimal extras, very low water pressure in the shower and if shower before dinner like most do, water runs hot/cold, also drains very slow
Hair dryer provided in the bathroom
Outlet in the bathroom is for electrical razors only, I had to use the outlet next to the full Length mirror (don't forget your adaptor and electrical convertor if you are using any heated appliances like a curling iron)
There are complimentary soaps, lotion and shampoo in the bathroom
We kept our bathroom door closed at night to keep the noise level down
Tap water is safe to drink
Our room had a sitting area with couch and chairs. Balcony had two chairs and a table. It had an unbelievable view of the Maria Islands.
3. Pools/Waterpark
3 pools - Adult pool near South wing, Activities pool just off lobby and Main pool near North wing
Water Park near North wing and Kids Club - husband said water slides were extremely fun and we enjoyed the lazy river on hot days (use the larger colored inner-tubes as clear ones are smaller)
Towel cards provided at check in, can exchange for clean ones every day if you wish at the Catz Meow near Activities pool
Towel game is in effect, but not as bad as I've seen in Mexico
Adult pool fills up fast, as do the shaded areas around the pools. I would suggest finding your chairs, especially if you are a party of 4 or more, before 9:00 am
Don't lay near the swim up bar on the side nearest the beach, there is a lot of blowing sand.
4. Beach
Definitely not as bad as some posts lead you to believe, there is seaweed, but they do rake it up every day with a tractor and sea rake
There are 2 floaty things anchored in the water for people to use, one like a basket to sit in and the other a square float to lay on
Loungers are available on the beach until at least 10:00, but those with cabanas fill up fast
Beach bed loungers available, seemed pretty comfortable
All the beaches in St. Lucia are public so locals wander through on occasion trying to sell things (some illegal too!). A polite no thank you will do. If concerning to you, resort security will take care of them.
Swimming is ok off the beach, but take a walk North 10 min or so and water seems to have less seaweed
Honeymoon Beach, beautiful beach with great swimming, 20 min walk South from the resort. Wear shoes and bring your towels. You have to walk a little near the road. It's definitely worth the walk. Be careful of locals though. Don't leave your things unattended. We stopped on the way back at the yellow building for drinks and the staff were wonderful, very kind.
5. Food
Wonderful!!!
We ate breakfast at the buffet, Coconut Walk, every morning, open 7:00 am - 10:00 am. If you like eggs, have them made to order by Shanet, she makes a mean omelet!!!
Lunch is served at the buffet from 12:30 - 2:30, but we never ate there, if hungry we went to the snack bar so we didn't have to change out of our swimsuits. Beach grill is open 10:00 am to 7:00 am (yep, all night), they have hotdogs, cheeseburgers, paninis, french fries, nachos and salad. Burgers were good.
The buffet and two ala carte restaurants are closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays for the BBQ out on the patio by the stage and main pool. You must go, it was a blast. Saturday was more fun than Tues., more energy and people dancing. Try the pumpkin & lobster bisque at the BBQ - YUM!
We enjoyed Silk (Asian) restaurant better than Bellagio (Italian), service was better and food was more flavorful, but we do like spicy Thai food, try the prawns and spicy bamboo soup.
6. Tours/Excursions
We rented a car from Drive-A-Matic rentals. They delivered the car to us in the am at the resort and we left it in the driveway when we were done for them to pick up. Cost: $75 a day, plus $22 driver's license fee, $15.00 gas that was in the car and insurance purchase (optional). We figured the amount for 4 of us to travel to Castries by taxi and it was cheaper renting a car. (Taxi = $15.00 per person one way). We drove up the East coast and over to Castries then returned down the West coast back to Vieux Fort. WARNING: roads are extremely curvy and some are treacherous. You drive on the opposite side of the car on the opposite side of the road. I personally couldn't do it, but our friend had no problem. He said as long as he kept the steering wheel to the center of the road, he was fine.
We did the Land and Sea excursion from SunLink Tours $130.00 on Wednesdays only, full-day. We met in the lobby at 8:00 am. This trip took us by bus up the Atlantic coast again, but stopping to see the popular sites, and over to Castries. From there we went up to Rodney Bay Marina and got on a catamaran for the afternoon. This is where the boats from Pirates of the Caribbean were docked. We relaxed in the sun drinking rum punch and soaking up the sites. We swam at Anse Cochon for about 40 minutes then back on the boat headed for the Pitons. We docked in Soufriere and picked up lunch and sailed to the foot of the Pitons and enjoyed our feast. Then we went back to Soufriere and got back on the bus to start the trek back to the resort. On the way we stopped at Toraille Falls for a cool dip in the waterfall, then on to the Botanical Gardens and Diamond Waterfall. Our last stop was at the Balembouche Estate and we arrived back at the resort at 6:00 pm.
I do have a brochure of excursions available through SunLink Tours and also a couple from the front desk.
7. Other
Every morning a CBay Journal is slid under your door with the schedule of daily activities and nightlife, and also weather forecast. If you do not receive one, they are available at the customer service desk in the lobby.
I have a list of activities by date and time, including the kids activities if you would like to see that.
I had every intention of using the spa, but time did not allow. I did however pick up a brochure with services and prices if you are interested.
This trip report was done in April 2007, shortly after returning. Some things have changed, for better (no more towel cards) and for worse (from what I've read from postings on other sites). I would LOVE to return to the island again. It is indeed magical.
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My worst day at the beach is better than my best day at work!!
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Kathy
Olympian Gold
Posts: 1592
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Great report! Thank you  I'd love to see pictures . Do you have some to post??
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Karen in NYC
Olympian Gold
Posts: 2210
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Very nice report. Curious to know how things have changed (for better OR Worse).
The only time I was in St. Lucia was on a two-week Windjammer cruise YEARS ago (I was crushed to find out w'jammer is out of business). Its a Beautiful island.
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